This paper analyzes factors affecting individual mobilization in protest activities in seven Arab countries most of which, according to international indexes of democracy, are classified as authoritarian regimes. Theoretically, the paper draws on behaviorist perspectives of political participation and on the social movement literature to addresses the peculiar role of Mosques for engagement in protests. The data used for the empirical study originates from comparable random samples of a population survey at the individual level, the Arab Barometer, carried out in 2006 and 2007 in seven Arab countries: Jordan, Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Morocco, Algeria, Kuwait, Yemen and Lebanon. Findings confirm general theories of political participation as males and people with high socio-economic profiles have higher probabilities to participate in protests. In addition, an important role is played by the individual use of resources such as internet and wasta. Results suggest that the country political context is significant as well, as the more democratic the country regime is, the more individuals participate in demonstrations. Finally, attending Mosques is positively associated –despite not always significant across single countries- with individual engagement in protests.
